Why do so few people take part in the member organized functions?

[removed account4]

I think the one thing people are not looking for with the print and postcard exchanges is an opinion. I think some people are a bit wary of joining because they think they may receive an opinion (in particular a "stop wasting film and paper and take up knitting" opinion).

Maybe this is appealing only to people who would have wanted pen pals when they were a kid.

what's a pen? pen pal ?

 

[Don_ih]

pen pal ?

Here, it's called "Start a conversation."

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

what's a pen? pen pal ?

During Covid boredom, I actually bought a few fountain pens to write with. It goes with film.

 

[Petrochemist]

During Covid boredom, I actually bought a few fountain pens to write with. It goes with film.

I always found fountain pens smudge on negatives. I'd rather use a fine marker on them.

 

[Petrochemist]

I think the one thing people are not looking for with the print and postcard exchanges is an opinion. I think some people are a bit wary of joining because they think they may receive an opinion (in particular a "stop wasting film and paper and take up knitting" opinion).

Maybe this is appealing only to people who would have wanted pen pals when they were a kid.

Surely any critique/response to art is an opinion, even if it's not worded as such.

A useful critique might say something like 'the stick behind her head is distracting' while others might not see that stick at all.
I have to admit I find it hard to give good critique, it's much easier to say I like your third effort more than the other 5 than it is to decide why.

 

[removed account4]

From the UK it's £1.70 worldwide (plus the cost/time of printing) for each print sent.

if you add up all the moneys spent on photographic things unless someone is able to offset expenses by making and selling something, teaching workshops, doing it commercially
selling images in a gallery setting &c. doing photography as a hobby, especially film and chemistry based photography is a money hole. might as well
put stamps on a dozen or half dozen or 30 little prints, and send something across the globe to internet strangers and get something in the mail besides a bill. there is a whole art to sending post cards
there is the stamp art, there is the cancellation / barrel stamp too. its not about sending a post card out to get a critique from people ( I don't think ). most people don't want to hear the lamppost coming out of the supermodel's head doesn't look good.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Surely any critique/response to art is an opinion, even if it's not worded as such.

A useful critique might say something like 'the stick behind her head is distracting' while others might not see that stick at all.
I have to admit I find it hard to give good critique, it's much easier to say I like your third effort more than the other 5 than it is to decide why.

Reminds me of a friend who used to think of himself as a ladies man. Once he introduced me to his new girlfriend. Later, when she was;t there, he asked me what I thought of her. I told him that it didn;t matter what I thought. She's your girlfriend. It's only important what you think. So he refutes me saying that no it's not important what he thinks about her. It only matters what others think.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

if you add up all the moneys spent on photographic things unless someone is able to offset expenses by making and selling something, teaching workshops, doing it commercially
selling images in a gallery setting &c. doing photography as a hobby, especially film and chemistry based photography is a money hole. might as well
put stamps on a dozen or half dozen or 30 little prints, and send something across the globe to internet strangers and get something in the mail besides a bill. there is a whole art to sending post cards
there is the stamp art, there is the cancellation / barrel stamp too. its not about sending a post card out to get a critique from people ( I don't think ). most people don't want to hear the lamppost coming out of the supermodel's head doesn't look good.

You raise an interesting point. In this postcard enterprise, are you expected to critique them and get back to each of the senders?

 

[MattKing]

You raise an interesting point. In this postcard enterprise, are you expected to critique them and get back to each of the senders?

No.
But many of us do enjoy discussing what we receive and send.
We do it because it is fun, it is usually interesting, and it gives us a chance to interact with photographers around the world.
I can, as an example, receive a print from bedrof in Moscow and share with him what I appreciate about it.
That's a real, live, in the hand print.
And he can do the same with me.

 

[Petrochemist]

if you add up all the moneys spent on photographic things unless someone is able to offset expenses by making and selling something, teaching workshops, doing it commercially
selling images in a gallery setting &c. doing photography as a hobby, especially film and chemistry based photography is a money hole. might as well
put stamps on a dozen or half dozen or 30 little prints, and send something across the globe to internet strangers and get something in the mail besides a bill. there is a whole art to sending post cards
there is the stamp art, there is the cancellation / barrel stamp too. its not about sending a post card out to get a critique from people ( I don't think ). most people don't want to hear the lamppost coming out of the supermodel's head doesn't look good.

If I add up all the photographic expenses I've had for my hobby I'd have a serious shock - I took the total out from my photographic stock spread sheet over 5 years ago in case my wife ever saw it. That never included costs of books, trips away, club dues, mounting materials, exhibition fees etc.
Printing 30 postcards & sending them off would cost more than many of my lenses (individually not in total). Most of my photography is now digital despite still buying film cameras so at least my film/processing costs have been reasonable.

Good stamp art can make a nice macro subject, but the routine British ones are now a bit boring tending to show the same image in different colours. I manage to get a smile from forum messages & can share photos there as well (even when I should be working).

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

No.
But many of us do enjoy discussing what we receive and send.
We do it because it is fun, it is usually interesting, and it gives us a chance to interact with photographers around the world.
I can, as an example, receive a print from bedrof in Moscow and share with him what I appreciate about it.
That's a real, live, in the hand print.
And he can do the same with me.

That's very interesting. One of the reasons I post my photos on Flickr, besides getting the usual "atta boys", is to get real critiques about what's good and bad with them so I can learn. That doesn;t happen very often. Maybe I should post some of my photos here in Photrio requesting official critiques or find someone else who's interested in critiquing each other's work on a regular basis. Any ideas?

 

[Buzz-01]

No.
But many of us do enjoy discussing what we receive and send.
We do it because it is fun, it is usually interesting, and it gives us a chance to interact with photographers around the world.
I can, as an example, receive a print from bedrof in Moscow and share with him what I appreciate about it.
That's a real, live, in the hand print.
And he can do the same with me.

Exactly this! I enjoy the interaction with other photographers the most.

As for critique, in my opinion after all the effort that has gone into making a print and sending it out, the least I can do is give my feedback to the sender. It doesn't have to be "I don't like the lamp post sticking out of his/her head", I usually tell what stands out in a positive way to me. At the same time, this forces me to really spend some time to take a print in, which also allows me to learn from it and become better at printing my own work.
A win-win I think!

And as for cost, darkroom materials aren't cheap, that's true. Stamps aren't cheap anymore either. And anyone should decide the value vs cost for themselves.
For me there's a nice balance between value (to me) and cost in the Blind Print Exchange, which currently runs about 3 times a year I think.
That's 3 prints and 3 stamps a year, where I get 3 prints in return (or more, I usually try to send 2 prints in a BPX round).

 

[Don_ih]

ind someone else who's interested in critiquing each other's work on a regular basis

I'd guess you'd have the best luck by finding someone who's work you respect (and who you deem has a useful attitude) and asking if he or she would like to critique your work, with a mind toward improvement.
Every comment made on this forum invites contention. Your work and anyone's valid point quickly becomes irrelevant in an open post.

As for critiques of the postcards - there's been next to none of that that I've seen. It's not really appropriate for the spirit of the enterprise.

I have two photo postcards sent home by a great uncle during WW1. He's in one of the photos (seated on a horse). It's not a masterpiece but it sure is a unique family artifact. I've never thought to criticize the composition.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Postage from the UK where I live to the US would be excessive, compared to the ease of scanning & sharing via the web - which is fine for composition.
Where the quality of the print needs to be accessed without the digital factors I'll share with photographers who live locally to me (I can even keep the print) - or just pin them up behind my desk & have people slag them off there

The few face to face meets from other forums I've been able to attend have always been good. Sadly most of them are too far away to be practical.

Not the same as holding a print. If it is not a print, it is not a photograph.

 

[MattKing]

I don’t see the value in seeking out critiques from random people who may or may not know anything. Find a class, or take a workshop.

I'd agree with michael about critiques.
However, what I find useful about the exchanges is the reactions that people have, the questions that they ask, the presumptions and assumptions that they bring to the process.
In addition, I get to see what people from all around the world consider to be worthy of their time, effort and money when they decide to share.
Photography can be a very insular process, and in some ways that isn't resolved when one posts something digitally. I don't know why receiving a print is somehow different, but it is for me.
And besides, the postcard exchange allows me the chance to use my hi tech "Whirlpool Gold" RC print drying solution:

("Troll Search" - my card from Postcard Exchange Round 52)

 

[Don_ih]

If you post an image and ask for critiques, most people will say nothing. The people who say something of value- you'll be able to tell them right away. The problem is the potential for bickering about whether or not you should have used a 50 f1.8 lens instead of a 50 f2 lens that you're likely to get from some people. It pollutes a discussion.

 

[Bill Burk]

I’ve participated in a negative exchange, a print exchange, a monthly shooting assignment and a blind print exchange.

They were all fun. Blind print exchange was the easiest.

 

[Nige]

When I use to participate, I use to get them sent to my workplace and I'd put them up on my wall/divider. There were several people that used to come around to see them and the mail room staff said they enjoyed them to. Had to explain what they were!

 

[BrianShaw]

When I use to participate, I use to get them sent to my workplace and I'd put them up on my wall/divider. There were several people that used to come around to see them and the mail room staff said they enjoyed them to. Had to explain what they were!

Same with a chap I once worked with and asking about them is how I initially learned about APUG.

 

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

When I use to participate, I use to get them sent to my workplace and I'd put them up on my wall/divider. There were several people that used to come around to see them and the mail room staff said they enjoyed them to.

Nice idea!

 

[removed account4]

You raise an interesting point. In this postcard enterprise, are you expected to critique them and get back to each of the senders?

naaah. its not about critical analysis its about getting a post card in the mail.
when the next one comes around I'll probably sign up, I forgot how much fun it was. and if there are slackers who receive and don't send. whatever .. its only a post card.
I'm still wondering if the camera that t was lost ever was found. LOL. at one point there were 2 cameras in 1 box in the camera goes round the world fun...

 

[warden]

Here, it's called "Start a conversation."

That's my favorite feature of Photrio.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

naaah. its not about critical analysis its about getting a post card in the mail.
when the next one comes around I'll probably sign up, I forgot how much fun it was. and if there are slackers who receive and don't send. whatever .. its only a post card.
I'm still wondering if the camera that t was lost ever was found. LOL. at one point there were 2 cameras in 1 box in the camera goes round the world fun...

Sounds like fun. How and where do you sign up? I don't have a printer but could Walgreens run off 4x6s?

 

[MattKing]

Sounds like fun. How and where do you sign up? I don't have a printer but could Walgreens run off 4x6s?

You can send lab produced prints - as long as they are from either optical prints from film or, more likely now, digital prints of files created by scanning film.
We just started Round 54, so it will be a couple of months before the sign-up period starts for the next round.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

You can send lab produced prints - as long as they are from either optical prints from film or, more likely now, files created by scanning film.
We just started Round 54, so it will be a couple of months before the sign-up period starts for the next round.

What do you mean?